Apparatus for impregnating pervious materials



1936- L. P. MELLERIO ET AL 2,056,308

APPARATUS FOR IMPREGNATING PERVIOUS MATERIALS A3 27 /5 Filed Sept. 1,1953 2 Sheets-Sheet i 6, 1936 L. i MELLERIO ET AL 2, 5 ,308

APPARATUS FOR IMPREGNATING PERVIOUS MATERIALS Filed Sept. 1, 1 933 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Get. 6, 1936 PATENT ori ice APPARATUS FORIMPREGNATING" PEBVIOUS MATERIALS Lucien Paul Mellerio and Fred Ricks,Leicester, England, assignors to United Shoe Machinery Corporation,Paterson, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 1,1933, Serial No. 687,834:

In Great Britain September 29, 1932 4 Claims. (01. 91-46) is maintainedin alinementwith the mouth to This invention relates to apparatus forsubjecting pervious materials to impregnating liquids, and is hereindescribed chiefly with regard to tempering leather soles, althoughapparatus of the type herein described has utility also for impregnatingleather and other pervious materials with liquids having effects otherthan tempering, for example, a water-proofing effect.

It has been found in practice that impregnation of leather submerged ina liquid can be effected much more rapidly, and with more satisfactoryresults, when the liquid is put under super-atmospheric pressure thanwhen it remains at atmospheric pressure, and that if a suitably highpressure of the liquid is developed during the period of treatment itavoids the necessity of leaving the Work in a wet pack for severalhoursafter its removal from the bath. By way of explanation, it is supposedthat the air occluded in the pores of leather resists the entrance ofliquid, and that if the liquid remains at atmospheric pressure duringthe period of treatment hours of capillary action are necessary to bringabout thorough penetration of the leather by the liquid, whereas, if thepressure of the liquid is high during the period of submersion thepenetration is correspondingly rapid and even. Moreover, when leathersoles are tempered with water under high pressure, and not left in thewater more than a very few minutes the soles do not become so'dden orstained, as they do in many cases when subjected to prolonged treatmentwith water at atmospheric pressure.

With the foregoing conditions in view, an object of the presentinvention is to provide improved apparatus by Which articles of leatheror other pervious material may be quickly impregnated undersuper-atmospheric pressures.

A novel feature of the invention consists in an impregnating apparatuscomprising a pressuresustaining receptacle having a work-receivingmouth, a pressure-sustaining closure movable into and out of the mouth,a Work-carrier suspended from and rigidly related to the closure, andmeans arranged to develop pressure ofan impregnating liquid confined inthe receptacle. Since the work-carrier is supported by the closure, itdoes not require any individual handling to place it in the receptacleor to remove it therefrom, the operations of applying the closure andremoving it from the receptacle being thus utilized to do double duty.Preferably, to facilitate placing the closure in the mouth of thereceptacle, the workcarrier and the receptacle are provided withcooperative guiding surfaces by which the closure insure the desiredguidance'of the closure.

.The. invention also comprises other features of improvement hereinafterdescribed.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation of an improvedapparatus with which the herein-described method may be practiced;

Fig.2 is a plan view of that portion of the apparatus below line IIII inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the tempering receptacle with the closureapplied thereto;

"Fig. 4 is aplan view of the closure included in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on a larger scalethrough an automaticsealingldevice influenced by super-atmospheric pressure in the temperingreceptacle to prevent leakage past the closure therefor;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the upper portion; of the temperingreceptacle providedv with one form of means for'securing a closure ofthe type shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to "Fig. 6 but including an alternative form ofmeans for securing the? closure shown in Fig. 8; and Fig. 8 is aperspective view of a closure designed to cooperate with securing meansof the type shown in Fig. '7.

The base! of the apparatus supports a super-t posed member 3 rigidlybolted-thereto to provide a mounting for a bowl-shaped member 1 and apedestal 5 both of which are bolted to the member 3. The pedestal 5provides a mounting for an upstanding tempering or impregnating recep- 1tacle'9 which may be cylindrical and may be fixed in operative po'sitionby clamping devices ll secured to the pedestal. The walls of thereceptacle 9 are designed to withstand internal hydraulic pressure ofmore than 1500 pounds per square inch. This receptacle is closed exceptat its upper end 'Which'is provided with a ring l3 secured 1 ring I3 isprovided with a laterally extending boss H to provide anchorage for astationary post [9 which constitutes a track for a trolley 2i arrangedto run up and down thereon to guide the closure.

The trolley 2l has-four thin rolls 22, two of which are arranged to runin a groove 23 extending lengthwise of the post and the other two of 55which are arranged to run in a similar groove diametrically oppositethat first mentioned. An arm 25 formed on the trolley 2| is providedwith a vertical bearing in coaxial relation to the receptacle 9, thisbearing being occupied by a shaft 21. The'closure 29 is affixedto:thelower-end'of the shaft 21, an a cross-bar 49 extending through theupper end of this shaft provides two handles by which the shaft and theclosure may be turned about a vertical axis to linterlockithe closurewith the ring l3 when the closureis.-nest ed in the ring. The upper endof the shaft 21 carries a hook by which it is suspended from a flex--ible steel cable 31 provided with a'counterweight 39 which is preferablyslightlyheavier than the greatest load that would ever be imposed uponthe other end of the cable. "The cable paaesover sheaves 33 and 35mounted on a-supportingLbracket 3| which is aflixed to the upper end ofthe -post l9.

The'bodyof the closure 29 is cylindrical and of a size to fit closely inthe mouth at the upper endof the receptacle'9'with onlysuflicient-clearance to enableit toenter it readily, but is providedwith radially Lprojectingsegmental ears 4| of suitable proportions to.pass through complemental notches'between inwardly projecting cars 41formed on the ring l3. When the ears =4| :of the closure 29 are inregister'with the notches in the ring I3 they maydescendainto engagementwithaflat-annular seat 45 provided by an internal flange 43 formed onthe ring J3. When so seated theears 4| lie on theseat 45 and the closuremay be turned about its axis far enough to place the two sets of ears ininterlocked relation. Such turning of the closure maybe effectedmanually by means of the cross-bar 49.

When the closure .is supported by the cable 31 and the counterweight 39,it supports the*tr.olley 2|,butthe1bearingin thearm-25 through which theshaft 761 extends is preferably shorter Zthan the distance between theclosure and the crossbar 49 to provide for .a short relative axialmovement of the shaft and the bearing element. This feature .ofconstruction may be utilized to maintain the ears 4| in register withthe notches in the ring l3 :when .theclosure is raised, 'tOthBERd that:the operator'will be relieved from the necessity of turning the closureincidentally to depressing it'to its seat 45 (Fig.5). For example,

.asshown in Figs. -1 and 4, the closure 2-9 is provided on its uppersurface with .an upstanding tooth:5| having oppositely inclinedcamming-surfaces. This tooth is arranged to enter correspondingly shapednotches 53 and .55 formed in the lower end of the-bearing providedbythe'arm 25. When the ears-4| are in register with the notches in thering 13, the tooth 5| occupies the notch 55,the weightof .the trolley 2|being .then

effective to prevent accidental turning of the closure, but-a moderateturning force applied to .the closureby :means of thecross-bar 49 Willhesuflicient to :shiftthe tooth from the notch 55 'to the notch 53-. .Asthe-closure is .turned in this manner, the inclined face on theleft-hand side of the tooth.5| will operate with a camming effect.on;the-arm.25-to raise the trolley 2|, but when the tooth is broughtinto register with'the notch 53 the trolley will 'descend .to its formerlevel and thus prevent accidental turningin the opposite direction. Asimilar camming efiect isproduced by the other inclined face .of thetooth 5| when thetturning force is applied in the direction necessary-todisengage the ears 4| of theclosure from the-ears of the locking ring.

To insure a non-leaking joint between the receptacle 9 and the closure29 when these parts are interlocked, the receptacle is provided with asealing device that will be operated automatically by the hydraulicpressure developed in the receptacle. A device for this purpose mayembody the construction shown in Fig. 5. The upper end of the receptacle9 is provided with a counterbore 56 to receive a. metal ring 59 and amolded gasket 51 10f comparatively soft and expansible materialzsuchrasjeather or rubber. These elements are placed in the counterborebefore the locking ring f3'is bolted'to the receptacle, but when thelocking ring is assembled therewith it confines the gasket '51 and thering 59 against vertical displacement. The upper portion of the ring 59is comparatively thin and is straddled by the skirts pf the gasket 51which is U-shaped in cross-sectionand arranged to place the fold at thetop. At suitable intervals, ducts 6| are formed in the :metal .ring .59leading from the chamber in the receptacle 9 to the upper edge of thisring, and

I .these "ducts are intersected by radially extending ducts -.63.thatlieLin the channel of the gasket. In operation, when super-atmosphericpressure is :developed in the receptacle 9 air and liquid areforcedunder pressure through the ducts Bi and 63 intothe channelof thegasket 51 which is thereby distended radially before a balance ofpressure cantbe set 'upagainst the sealing surfaces of the skirts of thegasket with the result that the inner :skirt is seated tightly againstthe closure, while theexternal skirt is likewise seated firmly againstthe surrounding surface of the counterbore in the receptacle. As thehydraulic pressure in- .ereasesit causesa corresponding increase of thepressure of the skirts of the gasket against the confining surfaces ofthe closure and the counter- 'bore and thus prevents leakage of theliquid -'through=the locking ring I3.

:Fig. '7 illustrates-a locking ring 61 corresponding-torthe .lockingring |3 but embodying ears of a different form designed to cooperatewith a closure-of the type-shown in Fig. 8. In the latter 'figure, theclosure indicated at 19 is providedv with segmental ears 65, the ends ofwhich have inclined surfaces which operate with a camming effect:in'consequence of rotational movement of theclosure. Likewise, the ears69 of the locking ring .61 have correspondingly inclined cammingsurfaces at their ends, and the flat segmental seats 1| on which theears 65 of the closure rest are provided with inclined cammingprojections ;13,-each forming a continuation of the inclined surfaceatone end of an ear 69. When the operator turns the closure in acounterclockwise direction to release it from the locking ring 61, the8835165131118 up first on the inclined projections 13 and thereafter onthe inclined ends of the ears 69 to start the closure on its upwardtravel which, when release is effected, will be completed by thecounterweight 39.

Tozdischarge any liquid that may accumulate in the locking ring l3 abovethe fiat seat 45, the ring may be bored radially to provide an outletport and this port may be tapped to receive a screw-threaded pipe ornozzle 15 through which the accumulated water will be directed into thebowl-shaped member 1. In like manner, if a locking ring of the typeshown in Fig. 7 is used it may be provided with one or more dischargenozzles 11.

Figs. '1 and 2 illustrate pumping apparatus by which a tempering liquidmay be forced into the tempering receptacle 9 and by which any of thetempering receptacle 9. ranged to be operated manually is operativelysuitable or desired hydraulic pressure may be developed in thereceptacle. The pumping apparatus may be of any preferred or well-knowncommercial construction, but for reasons hereinafter explained it isdesirable to provide two pumps, one of relatively large capacity forfilling the receptacle 9 quickly and for developing a 'moderate pressuretherein, and the other of smaller capacity for developing supplementalpressure. As shown, two such pumps are arranged in a storage tank 19bolted to the base I. This tank may be provided with a hinged cover 53'!adapted to be opened for the purpose of pouring tempering fluid into thetank. The pump of larger capacity comprises a cylinder 8| (Fig. 2) and apiston 83, the diameter of which may be about two inches. A check-valve85 admits tempering fluid into the cylinder 8| from the tank l9 while acorresponding check-valve 8? permits the fluid to be expelled from thecylinder into a manifold 88 from which the liquid flows through a pipe9! into the lower portion A lever 89 arconnected to the piston 83.

In like manner, a high-pressure cylinder 93 01' smaller capacity isprovided with a piston 95, their diameters being approximately of aninch. The tempering liquid is admitted into the cylinder 9 from thetank-l9 through a checkvalve 91 and is expelled from this cylinder intothe manifold 88 through a. delivery port in which a check-valve 99 isinstalled. A lever Hll is operatively connected to the piston 95 andintended to be operated manually. 1 To prevent the development ofexcessive pressure, the high-pressure cylinder 93 may be provided with arelief valve 93 controlled by the force of gravity through the agency ofa lever and a weight adjustably arranged thereon. The weight may beshifted to regulate the maximum pressure that may be developed beforerelief is afforded. If desired, a pressure indicator I05 may beinstall-ed at any suitable point, for example in the maniiold 88, whereit will indicate the pressur developed in the receptacle 9. I

To provide for venting the receptacle 9 so that it may be filled withtempering liquid after the closure has been sealed, apressure-sustaining valve l l l is screwed into the receptacle at alevel only slightly below that of the lower end of the closure. A pipem9 extends downwardly from this valve into the bowl-shaped member 1. Inoperation, when the work to-be tempered has been placed in thereceptacle and when the closure has been locked in operative position,the valve lli will be open to release the air from the receptacle. Theoperator will thereupon move the lever 89 back and forth to operate thelowpressure piston 83 by which the tempering liquid in the tank 79 willbe rapidly forced into the receptacle 9. In due course, some temperingliquid will escape from the receptacle 9 through the pipe Hi9 andthereby indicate the fact that nearly if not quite all the air in thereceptacle has been expelled by liquid. Now the operator will close thevalve HI and may develop a considerable pressure in the receptacle byfurther operation of the lever 89. If pressure greater than that easilyobtainable with the lever 89 is desired, the operator may operate thehighpressure pump by means of the lever I91.

The tempering receptacle 9 may also be provided with apressure-sustaining valve H3 preferably situated at its lower end toprovide for draining and flushing the receptacle whenever desired, butwhile the apparatus is in use this valve will remain closed. If desired,the valve H3 may be provided with a nozzle arranged to discharge theliquid into the bowl-shaped member l and the bowl may be provided with adrain pipe l l 5 to conduct the accumulated liquid from the bowl-shapedmember to any convenient point of discharge.

To expedite the introduction of the work into the receptacle 9 and itsremoval therefrom, a rigid work-carrier ill is suspended from theclosure 29. The carrier may be a sheet-metal shell preferably made ofsome metal that will not be ailected by the tempering liquid. Sincewater will commonly be the liquid used for tempering, the work-carriermay be made of sheet brass and will have an opening in its upper portionto receive the work to be tempered. As represented in Fig. 1, thework-carrier has a bottom wall in which perforations (see dotted lines)are formed to admit and drain the empering liquid.

For the sake of illustrating the work-carrier as clearly as possible inFig. 1, the vertically movable assemblage of which it forms a part isshown at a position higher than that actually necessary to facilitatethe insertion of the Work into the carrier. Preferably, the post l9 willbe provided with a stop such as a projecting pin i is adapted to arrestthe upward movement of the trolley at a point that will leave the lowerportion of the work-carrier in the mouth of the receptacle 9 but stillpermit the work-receiving opening in the carrier to rise above the topof the locking ring l3. It is to be understood, therefore, that for thesake of illustration the pin H9 has been withdrawn to permit the trolley28 to rise to the position shown.

The work-carrier l l? is rigidly related to the closure 29 and iscylindrical to'conform to theinternal surface of the receptacle 9.Consequently this surface and the external surface of 1e work-carriercooperate with each'other to maintain the closure in alinement with themouth of the receptacle, in which respect their control is' furtherdescription of the operation may be re. stricted to the procedure ofremoving the work irom the receptacle when the tempering treatment hasbeen completed. Assuming that is desired; to remove the work from thereceptacle after a suitable period of treatment, the operator will firstopen the relief ,valve i H to relieve the pressure in the receptacle. Asmall quantity of tempering liquid may be discharged through the pipel69 when the valve ill is opened but the liquid will not fall below thelevel of this valve under such conditions. When the pressure in thereceptacle is entirely relieved the gasket 63 (Fig. 5) will becomerelaxed so that the closure 29 may be readily withdrawn. The operatormay now turn the handle 49 to disengage the locking ears of the closurefrom those of the locking ring it. The closure and the work-carrier arenow free to be raised and if, because of the presence of liquid in thereceptacle 9 and in the work-carrier, or because of a clinging of thesealing gasket to the closure, the latter does not respond immediatelyto the influence of the counterweight 39 the operator may assist thecounterweight by applying a slight upward force to the handle 59.

The length of time and the degree of hydraulic pressure required toinsure the most satisfactory tempering treatment will be governed to agreat extent, if :not entirely, according to the density of the work andmay also be governed to some extent by the character of the temperingliquid if a liquid other than water is used or if some other temperingsubstance is combined with water. Nevertheless, it may be stated as ageneral rule that these factors should be regulated to cause thetempering liquid to penetrate each work-piece nearly if notquite to theheart of the stock, but the tempering treatment should not be continuedso long as to render the stock scdden. Experience with leather ofdifferent qualities will soon demonstrate how best to regulate thepressure and the duration of treatment. It has been found that leathersoles of usual good quality will be satisfactorily tempered under apressure of 1500 pounds per square inch Without prolonging the durationof treatment after that pressure has been attained with the apparatusdescribed. Consequently, as soon as the operator has developed apressure of this degree, he may immediately open the valve HI, unlockthe closure and withdraw the work-carrier from the tempering receptacle.Under such conditions, the entire operation from the time of placing theuntempered work in the carrier H1 until the removal of the tempered worktherefrom need not require more than three minutes. It has also beenfound that the leather does not become stained when the tempering liquidis forced under high pressure into the interstices of the stock and thetreatment is limited to a short period of time.

If the leather to be treated is cut from exceptionally hard, hammeredbends, satisfactory tempting may require from two to five minutes at apressure of 1500 pounds per square inch of the tempering liquid.

On the other hand, if the leather is softer and more permeable apressure of 1500 pounds per square inch would not be necessary ordesirable because it would be likely to render the leather sodden almostimmediately. Therefore, in tempering such leather it is preferable tooperate with pressures ranging from 250 pounds to 400 pounds per squareinch which may readily be developed with the low-pressure pump operatedby the lever 89. Under such conditions, when the gage I05 indicates thatthe desired pressure has been developed the operator will immediatelyopen the valve Ill and withdraw the work from the tempering receptacle.

It is to be understood that the described apparatus and method ofprocedure may also be used for purposes other than tempering leather.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An impregnating apparatus comprising a pressure-sustaining receptaclehaving a work-receiving mouth, a pressure-sustaining closure mov- .ableinto. and out of said mouth, a. rigid workcarrier suspended from andrigidly related to said closure, the receptacle and the work-carrierhaving cooperative guiding surfaces by which the closure is maintainedin alinement with said mouth, and means arranged to develop pressure ofan impregnating liquid confined in the receptacle.

' 2. An impregnating apparatus comprising a pressure-sustainingreceptacle having a work-receiving mouth, a pressure-sustaining closuremovable into and out of said mouth, means arranged outside thereceptacle to guide the closure into said mouth, a work-carriersuspended from said closure, the receptacle and the work-carrier havingcooperative guiding surfaces, and means arranged to develop pressure ofan impregnating liquid confined in said receptacle.

3. An impregnating apparatus comprising a pressure-sustaining receptaclehaving a work-receiving mouth at the top, a pressure-sustaining closurefor said mouth, said closure and the receptacle having cooperative partsarranged to be interlocked in consequence of turning the closure about avertical axis, a vertically movable guide supported by said closure, atrack for said guide, and cooperative camming parts on said closure andsaid guide for normally maintaining the closure in a certain angularposition with regard to turning about said axis, said camming partsbeing rendered effective by the weight of the guide and the latter beingarranged to yield upwardly to a moderate turning force applied to theclosure.

4. An impregnating apparatusv comprising a pressure-sustainingreceptacle having a work-receiving mouth at the top, apressure-sustaining closure for said mouth, said closure and thereceptacle having cooperative parts arranged to be interlocked inconsequence of turning the closure about a vertical axis, acounterweighted suspension linefrom which said closure is suspended,means for guiding the closure in a vertical path, and a work-carriersuspended from said closure.

LUCIEN PAUL MELLERIO. FRED RICKS.

